‘I Thought It Was A Joke’: Police E-fit Is Widely Mocked As Readers Create Their Own

AT least they know who to look for – a man with…er…marker pen scribbled on his face?

This e-fit has been issued by police hunting a man in Macclesfield.

But, unsurprisingly, the somewhat budget image has been widely mocked online, with many recreating the comical picture.

It was circulated by Cheshire Police after an incident the Park Tavern pub on January 12.

The man entered the pub at around 6.45pm, ordered a drink and sat alone at the bar.

He was acting in an ‘odd manner’ and had a number of AA batteries in a plastic case around his waist.

Not so perfect e-fit: Dominic Gibbs took the chance to mock the picture

When he was asked to leave, the man pulled out a knife and threatened a customer before fleeing the scene at around 8.30pm. No one was injured.

After speaking to witnesses, the police produced the poorly executed computer generated e-fit showing a man with a black hair and beard.

But the e-fit has prompted ridicule from many readers of Macclesfield Express, according to the Manchester Evening News

Anna Gough wrote on Facebook: 'I genuinely thought this was a joke. Looks like the image was made on someone’s PC using Paint.”

While Paula Derbyshire added: 'Such a good e-fit until it comes to the hair and beard. It looks as though someone has attacked it with a marker pen!!’

Another Facebook user’s take on the e-fit

Joanne Ross speculated that the police may have used an etch-a-sketch to create the image, while others suggested cuts to the policing budget could be to blame.

Dominic Gibbs wrote: 'There’s budget cuts, and then there’s using snapchat to take a picture of your mate and scribbling on his face. This is Cameron’s fault.’

Ed Coley added: 'When you’re in charge of criminal investigation but only have access to Microsoft paint.’

The suspect is described as white, around 5ft 9ins, aged in his late 30s, with short black hair, a dark coloured beard and a slim face.

He was wearing a black waist length jacket with a grey jumper underneath, blue jeans and trainers.

Pictures from Facebook